After 15 years of CVS, I finally got out....now thinking about coming back?

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RedSkyBlue

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Long time lurker here....Looking for advice about my situation. Any input is appreciated.

I've been with CVS for almost 15 years. Always a PIC. I did a pretty good job, even won the paragon(?) award, but hated working there. The environment, stress, 14 hours shifts, metrics, and crap I had to deal with was too much, and what made it worst is they would send me to the bad stores to fix, and once fixed, they would keep moving me to bad stores to clean up. I basically burnt out, and I'm sure I'll die a few years earlier because of it.

3 years ago, I finally landed a pharmacist position in a non-retail setting.....Good pay, weekends off, closed environment....dream come true huh? Not really....

It is the complete opposite of CVS. It is easy, and I work alone. I spend 8 hours daily in a little cubicle filling meds and other mindless tasks. No phone calls. No faxes. No patients. No windows. No one to even talk to. The only time I speak to people is when nurses blame or whine at me, which happens a lot, for things I can't even control.

After 3 years, I am physically healthier, but mentally numb and unmotivated. This just doesn't fit my personality.

I am seriously considering going back to CVS, (they are always hiring due to high turn-over here), where I can at least talk to people and make decisions. I know working at CVS will destroy my health. I'm aware that conditions have even worsened with saturation, increased workload, and decreased tech hours.

There are no other jobs available in my city, and I can't move. I have another 20 years before I retire.

Which poison should I pick?

Just looking for some advice from other pharmacists before I make this big decision. Thank you
 
If you hated it 3 years ago, what makes you think it will be better now? You realize that the only difference between your current responsibilities and what CVS offers you is that you wont have time to go home and contemplate the meaning of life. You will just be tired. I know you put in your 15 years already but I seriously doubt you can put in another 20. It is young man's sport right now.
 
Sounds like CVS is a bad drug, you knew it was destroying your health, you broke the addiction you've been away from your drug for years.....and yet you still feel the pull and lure of the drug.

I would agree with the others, find a side job and/or hobby to provide you intellectual stimulation. Do you have an ipod or something you can play music on at work? Maybe that will help break up your day.
 
You should talk to a CVS Sup and see if you can go back as emergency float. Tell them the days you have off and let them schedule you / call you for those days, the experience will give you a feel for what it is like to work for them now without letting go of your current gig. If it turns out badly you won't be stuck in a horrible situation you can't get out of. Keep in mind things have deteriorated at CVS since you have been there last, it may be a totally different experience this go around.
 
They call it "work" for a reason. Sorry your closed door pharmacy isn't "stimulating" you anymore. Pick up a hobby. But to go back to the slave galley? Into the Rancor pit? To bear the Cross again? Are you serious?
 
RedSkyBlue said:
I've been with CVS for almost 15 years. Always a PIC. I did a pretty good job, even won the paragon(?) award, but hated working there. The environment, stress, 14 hours shifts, metrics, and crap I had to deal with was too much, and what made it worst is they would send me to the bad stores to fix, and once fixed, they would keep moving me to bad stores to clean up. I basically burnt out, and I'm sure I'll die a few years earlier because of it

...

It is the complete opposite of CVS. It is easy, and I work alone. I spend 8 hours daily in a little cubicle filling meds and other mindless tasks. No phone calls. No faxes. No patients. No windows. No one to even talk to. The only time I speak to people is when nurses blame or whine at me, which happens a lot, for things I can't even control.
Click to expand...

Well if you would rather have the ignorant, smelly public blame you or whine at you for things you can't even control and endure the mindless tasks that your supervisor wants you to do...

Please find an interesting hobby
 
I don't understand why you ever want to go back to "hated working there. The environment, stress, 14 hours shifts, metrics, and crap I had to deal with was too much" place. You've been in the field for at least 18 years now. Why don't you enjoy your life by doing something else as a side job? Don't let your life work for money.
 
RedSkyBlue said:
Long time lurker here....Looking for advice about my situation. Any input is appreciated.

I've been with CVS for almost 15 years. Always a PIC. I did a pretty good job, even won the paragon(?) award, but hated working there. The environment, stress, 14 hours shifts, metrics, and crap I had to deal with was too much, and what made it worst is they would send me to the bad stores to fix, and once fixed, they would keep moving me to bad stores to clean up. I basically burnt out, and I'm sure I'll die a few years earlier because of it.

3 years ago, I finally landed a pharmacist position in a non-retail setting.....Good pay, weekends off, closed environment....dream come true huh? Not really....

It is the complete opposite of CVS. It is easy, and I work alone. I spend 8 hours daily in a little cubicle filling meds and other mindless tasks. No phone calls. No faxes. No patients. No windows. No one to even talk to. The only time I speak to people is when nurses blame or whine at me, which happens a lot, for things I can't even control.

After 3 years, I am physically healthier, but mentally numb and unmotivated. This just doesn't fit my personality.

I am seriously considering going back to CVS, (they are always hiring due to high turn-over here), where I can at least talk to people and make decisions. I know working at CVS will destroy my health. I'm aware that conditions have even worsened with saturation, increased workload, and decreased tech hours.

There are no other jobs available in my city, and I can't move. I have another 20 years before I retire.

Which poison should I pick?

Just looking for some advice from other pharmacists before I make this big decision. Thank you
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For your health and sanity I think being bored and un-stimulated is a far better problem to have than the hell of working at CVS.

Find a hobby or something you can throw yourself into outside of work. Live life! I look at it like this, you can use up everything you've got on work or you use it up living life.
 
RedSkyBlue said:
I've been with CVS for almost 15 years. Always a PIC. I did a pretty good job, even won the paragon(?) award, but hated working there. The environment, stress, 14 hours shifts, metrics, and crap I had to deal with was too much, and what made it worst is they would send me to the bad stores to fix, and once fixed, they would keep moving me to bad stores to clean up.
Click to expand...

unrelated, but how do you fix challenge stores? What causes the problems? It seems like every store I work in constantly has problems.
 
Leper Messiah said:
unrelated, but how do you fix challenge stores? What causes the problems? It seems like every store I work in constantly has problems.
Click to expand...

You ignore most of what CVS wants you to worry about and you develop a team that focuses on filling scripts efficiently. To fill scripts efficiently, you have to execute good workflow, improve medication in-stock and proactively fix problems. A few tools to help you achieve these goals are to increase rdyfill enrollment, adhere to the Wecare workflow order of task completion and simply get the right team members in place. Things such as PCI calls, extracare scan rate, payroll and even customer service surveys are secondary, all of these will improve once the primary issue(s) are addressed. To really fix a store, you have to have a good reputation with the rx sup and dm who understand that you know how to manage the business, and thus know to simply stay out of your way/offer support when needed.
 
Wow, thanks for all the input, even that video was hilarious. I didn't expect such a unanimous response though.
I do stream music at work all day, it helps, but I just miss the interaction with people (and the occasional challenges)

I'm still per-diem and I've thought about the 24 hour option when I was a PIC, they even do 2 weeks on 2 weeks off in my district, but they would never let me step down.

Sad to say, but I actually have no hobbies at my age. The only thing I'm good at is work. People have suggested I get a dog.
 
Leper Messiah said:
unrelated, but how do you fix challenge stores? What causes the problems? It seems like every store I work in constantly has problems.
Click to expand...

Dr Wario said:
You ignore most of what CVS wants you to worry about and you develop a team that focuses on filling scripts efficiently. To fill scripts efficiently, you have to execute good workflow, improve medication in-stock and proactively fix problems. A few tools to help you achieve these goals are to increase rdyfill enrollment, adhere to the Wecare workflow order of task completion and simply get the right team members in place. Things such as PCI calls, extracare scan rate, payroll and even customer service surveys are secondary, all of these will improve once the primary issue(s) are addressed. To really fix a store, you have to have a good reputation with the rx sup and dm who understand that you know how to manage the business, and thus know to simply stay out of your way/offer support when needed.
Click to expand...

I agree with Dr. Wario.
Besides that, how I fixed stores was to be very aggressive and have zero tolerance. I pushed everyone to their maximum, and if they didn't perform, they were eliminated. Then I hire and train new techs to my standards. I value my techs tremendously, treat them well, and ask my supervisor for raises for them if I feel they are underpaid. This helps with retention. I even split my bonus with them.

Don't get too hung up on stats. Focus on customer service, script count and inventory. ALWAYS fix problems ahead of time.
Don't cheat. I knew stores that use to enroll ReadyFill without permission just to meet stats, and also hide their QI, but all it did was piss customers off and create massive RTS.

Everyone at the store needs to be good (PIC, Staff, all techs). Once you have this team, always stay ahead. One size does not fit all, everyone has their own style.
 
RedSkyBlue said:
I do stream music at work all day
Click to expand...
How about learn to play a musical instrument? I also left retail for a mundane desk job, and I had to find something else to keep me motivated. So I'm learning to play music and it has been quite an enjoyable challenge.
 
Wow, you sir, are a machochist if you want to come back and torture yourself more. If you love retail and get bored by your cubicle, go to an independent or grocery.
 
Sounds like a dream job. Just think of the rude, entitled, impatient customers and you will stay.
 
For me, stressful is better than boring. I once worked a factory job where I sat around for 10 minutes, stopped and did a QA task for a couple minutes and then waited 10 more minutes to do it again. The machines were too loud to talk to anyone so I was bored to death. If I had to do that my whole life, I'd kill myself. I'm so much happier at CVS. I just changed my thinking about the stress. It helps me stay focused and I know how miserable I'd be in a job that bores me. I like my techs and I like helping my customers. Sure, some are rude sometimes but most are nice.

I don't think you are crazy for wanting to go back if CVS is your only other option. If the dream job doesn't fit your personality, then it is not a good fit. I'd probably try to pick up some weekend shifts at CVS though so you can compare the jobs side by side. Maybe you will find that you would rather be a staff pharmacist at CVS and not have to deal with as much stress as when you were PIC. You can stay in one place and actually talk to people all day. Or you might remember why you left in the first place and be happier in your current job.
 
BenJammin said:
Dude, do a side job. Sell funny t-shirts or coffee mugs with offensive phrases on it. Don't go back to CVS to restimulate your life.
Click to expand...

The best advice: DON'T GO BACK TO CVS TO RESTIMULATE YOUR LIFE.

Take it one day at a time.

You need to find a hobby. It can be anything. I honestly love to come home every day, and get in my bed, and watch my TV shows. I've seen everything. I just finished watching Homeland. Even though it may sound like a stupid hobby, it keeps me interested, it keeps me sane, and I f*cking love getting in my bed and relaxing. Yes, I did think to myself "Hey, I kind of miss CVS, I wish I could go back", but then my friend sticks me with haloperidol injection and forces me to take my clozapine, and reality sets back in and I think "Whoa, that was f*cking crazy. Why would I ever want to go back to CVS?!"

In all seriousness, how about you pick up an extra day at CVS and drop a day from your current job? That may make work life more interesting.

But at the end of work, thats where work stops. Don't make work life into YOUR LIFE. Your life is better. Even though you may not realize it, what you do at your pharmacy now still affects real people in the end, and you do make a difference in peoples lives. Just because you can't see it directly like you do at CVS doesn't mean it isn't happening. You don''t need the instant gratification.
 
Why don't you go back to retail but not CVS. Wait for a grocery store job to open up.
 
I'm back in retail and floating for the cream of the crop, which feels euphoric. I learn new ways of doing things EVERY SINGLE DAY. The diamond finally fell out of my pinched *** ... if you know what I mean!
 
PharmDstudent said:
I'm back in retail and floating for the cream of the crop, which feels euphoric. I learn new ways of doing things EVERY SINGLE DAY. The diamond finally fell out of my pinched *** ... if you know what I mean!
Click to expand...

Thought you were in LTC? Quit that one?
 
Don't go back, the grass is not greener. I agree with everyone else that says start your own side business or find a hobby. Or turn your hobby into your side business. Find something that interests you, maybe take some classes at the local community college for some intellectual stimulation.
 
Try your hand at golf. I suck, but a bad day of golf is still better than a good day at work. (I don't keep score so it makes it more enjoyable)
 
I interviewed at CVS last month.

One of the questions was about "tell me about a time you provided good customer service". I told the interviewer about some ways I was able to exploit the insurance companies to get patients what they wanted (patient wants 3 month supply but insurance only covers 30 at a time, give the patient 3 months worth and just bill the insurance every 30 days OR drug needs a prior authorization, get the info needed from the doctor and call the insurance company claiming to be from the doctor's office and tell them what needs to be told), he ended the interview right there claiming I participated in fraud. LMAO, CVS lecturing me about ethics.
 
CVS is actually getting very stringent with these kinds of stuff, b/c audits happen all the time.

Plus CVS will mandate a 2 day early fill max for controls soon!!
 
farmadiazepine said:
The best advice: DON'T GO BACK TO CVS TO RESTIMULATE YOUR LIFE.

Take it one day at a time.

You need to find a hobby. It can be anything. I honestly love to come home every day, and get in my bed, and watch my TV shows. I've seen everything. I just finished watching Homeland. Even though it may sound like a stupid hobby, it keeps me interested, it keeps me sane, and I f*cking love getting in my bed and relaxing. Yes, I did think to myself "Hey, I kind of miss CVS, I wish I could go back", but then my friend sticks me with haloperidol injection and forces me to take my clozapine, and reality sets back in and I think "Whoa, that was f*cking crazy. Why would I ever want to go back to CVS?!"

In all seriousness, how about you pick up an extra day at CVS and drop a day from your current job? That may make work life more interesting.

But at the end of work, thats where work stops. Don't make work life into YOUR LIFE. Your life is better. Even though you may not realize it, what you do at your pharmacy now still affects real people in the end, and you do make a difference in peoples lives. Just because you can't see it directly like you do at CVS doesn't mean it isn't happening. You don''t need the instant gratification.
Click to expand...

thats me, coming home to watch tv on my bed. its basically the best thing ever...
except i do live a few miles away from the beach in southern california, so i go to the beach very often, hike at least once a week (great way to get your legs and butt look nice, ladies!), go to the gym about 3 times a week and i also go out to socialize and visit local events like the farmer market. but days where im just working then coming home, watching tv on the bed is something that i look forward to, its just so relaxing. there is nothing like your bed.

i agree with most posts, the guy might need to find more hobbies. while i enjoy my job these days, it is a job, i love my time off. i have so much going on outside of work that makes me happy.

when i used to live on the east coast, i was so bored with my life because i didnt have all this beach, cool hiking spots within 5 miles of me, so sunny, 70s weather all year around. i was really miserable with my life, even though work was fine. how a person feels about work has a lot to do with the person's life outside of work.
 
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^^ living the California life!
 
Sparda29 said:
(patient wants 3 month supply but insurance only covers 30 at a time, give the patient 3 months worth and just bill the insurance every 30 days OR drug needs a prior authorization, get the info needed from the doctor and call the insurance company claiming to be from the doctor's office and tell them what needs to be told), he ended the interview right there claiming I participated in fraud.
Click to expand...

..and even now u still don't think it's fraud? wow
 
BMBiology said:
^^ living the California life!
Click to expand...
to be honest, a person has to be both happy at work AND outside of work. when i was with the big chain i was living the california life...but much more miserable....
it is a hard decision,
if but the only choice i have is to work for a chain in california, i will move out. NOTHING is worse than working for a chain, and nothing is worth it.
many people PM me about moving to california and trying to find a job here, if you do want to move to this wonderful place, you might not want to be in pharmacy, this is one of the worst, if not the worst, place to find a job for pharmacists. about 13 -14 pharmacy schools now and no job openings. you want to be in the entertainment industry or computer/tech, plastic surgeons do well here too. oh, and the health/fitness industry.
talk to you guys later, i gotta grab breakfast and go hiking by the ocean now. it is my day off!!
 
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sosoo said:
..and even now u still don't think it's fraud? wow
Click to expand...

The poor interviewer probably thought he was being set up by an undercover agent or on candid camera or something. Speaking of Sparda, I haven't seen him around lately, maybe his fraud caught up with him?
 
RedSkyBlue said:
Long time lurker here....Looking for advice about my situation. Any input is appreciated.

I've been with CVS for almost 15 years. Always a PIC. I did a pretty good job, even won the paragon(?) award, but hated working there. The environment, stress, 14 hours shifts, metrics, and crap I had to deal with was too much, and what made it worst is they would send me to the bad stores to fix, and once fixed, they would keep moving me to bad stores to clean up. I basically burnt out, and I'm sure I'll die a few years earlier because of it.

3 years ago, I finally landed a pharmacist position in a non-retail setting.....Good pay, weekends off, closed environment....dream come true huh? Not really....

It is the complete opposite of CVS. It is easy, and I work alone. I spend 8 hours daily in a little cubicle filling meds and other mindless tasks. No phone calls. No faxes. No patients. No windows. No one to even talk to. The only time I speak to people is when nurses blame or whine at me, which happens a lot, for things I can't even control.

After 3 years, I am physically healthier, but mentally numb and unmotivated. This just doesn't fit my personality.

I am seriously considering going back to CVS, (they are always hiring due to high turn-over here), where I can at least talk to people and make decisions. I know working at CVS will destroy my health. I'm aware that conditions have even worsened with saturation, increased workload, and decreased tech hours.

There are no other jobs available in my city, and I can't move. I have another 20 years before I retire.

Which poison should I pick?

Just looking for some advice from other pharmacists before I make this big decision. Thank you
Click to expand...
What kind of non-retail setting? I'm curious. I'd love to work in an environment like that. (I work at CVS currently)
 
RedSkyBlue said:
Long time lurker here....Looking for advice about my situation. Any input is appreciated.

I've been with CVS for almost 15 years. Always a PIC. I did a pretty good job, even won the paragon(?) award, but hated working there. The environment, stress, 14 hours shifts, metrics, and crap I had to deal with was too much, and what made it worst is they would send me to the bad stores to fix, and once fixed, they would keep moving me to bad stores to clean up. I basically burnt out, and I'm sure I'll die a few years earlier because of it.

3 years ago, I finally landed a pharmacist position in a non-retail setting.....Good pay, weekends off, closed environment....dream come true huh? Not really....

It is the complete opposite of CVS. It is easy, and I work alone. I spend 8 hours daily in a little cubicle filling meds and other mindless tasks. No phone calls. No faxes. No patients. No windows. No one to even talk to. The only time I speak to people is when nurses blame or whine at me, which happens a lot, for things I can't even control.

After 3 years, I am physically healthier, but mentally numb and unmotivated. This just doesn't fit my personality.

I am seriously considering going back to CVS, (they are always hiring due to high turn-over here), where I can at least talk to people and make decisions. I know working at CVS will destroy my health. I'm aware that conditions have even worsened with saturation, increased workload, and decreased tech hours.

There are no other jobs available in my city, and I can't move. I have another 20 years before I retire.

Which poison should I pick?

Just looking for some advice from other pharmacists before I make this big decision. Thank you
Click to expand...

Hopefully you haven't decided.

Teaching will be so rewarding. You can either get certified in high school Chem or Biology. Just take some tests. Then join a charity or volunteer in a Sunday school tutoring program. Sounds like you don't need the money. Why not help young people be successful like you? 🙂
 
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